100 Not Out

 

“100 not out” – that’s the number of businesses that Willow Park Housing Trust’s Enterprise Support Project has helped to establish in Wythenshawe.  And that number is still growing!  

To celebrate this milestone, Willow Park invited its 100th new business, Michael Whelan & Son a garden design and waste disposal service providing a local service for local people, are to receive an invaluable package of marketing support.  The marketing package was donated by Damian Faulkner, a local graphic designer who also set up his own business with support from Phil Duffield, Willow Park’s business advisor.  This real practical support of flyers, posters, business cards and van signage will provide the business with an extra boost in these difficult times.  A real win-win situation!

Damian set up Modus Visual Media 18 months ago and is extremely grateful for the support he received from Willow Park’s Enterprise Scheme.  “Phil gave me invaluable advice for my business plan, which meant I was able to successfully obtain funding from the bank.  He also helped me find premises in Wythenshawe.  This is my home town and I am proud to be based here.  I like to aim my business at organizations with a social or public sector orientation, such as the fire service, schools and housing sectors, so when Phil asked if I would like to help Michael with the marketing for his new company, I was delighted to help.”

Paul Goggins, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East said; “I congratulate Michael on setting up his own business.  The support he has received from Willow Park is crucial for his future success.  He’s clearly not afraid of hard work and I wish him and his son all the best in their new venture.”

The Trust has been supporting local people who want to set up their own businesses since 2005 and during this time it has seen nearly 500 people and given over 700 one-to-one counseling sessions.  During 2008/09 the project has been actively supporting women into business, with over 60% of its business starts being run by women this year.  In fact one of the first successful social enterprises helped by Willow Park was an after-school and holiday childcare scheme set up by local mums, with no formal qualifications, but bags of enthusiasm. They are now in their 4^th successful year and thriving in the heart of Benchill, Wythenshawe. 

Willow Park’s vision is to create a place where people want to live and work, where residents are proud of their homes and communities.  The Trust’s Enterprise Support project is proud of its solid and proven track record of helping to turn this vision into a reality for many people living and working in Wythenshawe.  

If you live in Wythenshawe and want to find out how Willow Park’s Enterprise Support scheme can help you, contact Phil Duffield on 0161 945 0655 or via email on  HYPERLINK “mailto:phil.duffield@willow-park.co.uk” phil.duffield@willow-park.co.uk